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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
COOK COUNTY’S PARTICIPATION IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY BETTER BUILDINGS CHALLENGE PROGRAM.
WHEREAS, energy use in buildings accounts for two-thirds of greenhouse gas emissions in Cook County; and
WHEREAS, Cook County wants to lead by example and improve the efficiency of County buildings and reduce pollution; and
WHEREAS, more than 250 organizations, 42 being local governments, have committed to U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Better Buildings Challenge, a voluntary national leadership initiative with the goal of making buildings across the country 20% more efficient over 10 years; and
WHEREAS, the Better Buildings Challenge program team works with each Partner to achieve program milestones and provide ongoing quarterly check-ins; and
WHEREAS, the Better Buildings Challenge Program tracks Partners’ progress through the EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager and Cook County Building Energy Benchmarking Ordinance approved in July 2014, requires use of EPA’s Energy Star Portfolio Manager to track the annual energy and water use of County buildings; and
WHEREAS, Cook County commits to energy and water savings with a goal of 20% reduction in energy intensity by 2025; and
WHEREAS, through this program, Cook County will join other industry and community leaders to create and share real solutions that reduce energy and water consumption, create jobs, and save money; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Cook County through the Chief of the Bureau of Asset Management or his or her designee shall enter into the Better Buildings Challenge Partnership Agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy wherein Cook County will agree to:
1. Make a public pledge to improve energy intensity of its entire municipal portfolio 20% by 2025, and
2. Develop an organization-wide plan of the County’s proposed energy reduction milestones to achieve its energy savings commitment within six months of the passage of this Resolution.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chief of the Bureau of Asset Management of Cook County or his or her designee be assigned as the point of contact for the Better Buildings Challenge and is hereby authorized and empowered to execute and deliver in the name of or on behalf of Cook County as may be necessary to perform its obligations under the Partnership Agreement.
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